Brandon Clark of the Memphis Grizzlies dies at age 29
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark passed away on May 12, the team and sports agency announced.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark has passed away, the team and his sports agency announced in a separate statement released on Tuesday, May 12th. He was 29 years old.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Clark’s death is currently being investigated as a possible overdose.
Clark was selected 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga University and enjoyed early success in the league, earning All-Rookie honors while averaging career-highs 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. He signed a four-year, $50 million contract extension with Memphis in 2022.
Clark’s sudden death occurred about six weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on charges of unlawful passing, possession of a controlled substance, eluding, exceeding the speed limit and trafficking in a controlled substance. He just completed his seventh NBA season, all of which he spent with the Grizzlies.
Clark’s career has been derailed by injuries in recent years. He was limited to just six games in 2023-24 due to a torn Achilles tendon, and missed all but two games last season due to calf and knee issues.
Clark was then allegedly found in possession of more than 230 grams of kratom on April 1 when he led Cross County Sheriff’s Office officers on a multi-mile chase at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Memphis Commercial Appeals Bureau.
Although the official cause of death is unknown at this time, Los Angeles’ NBC 4 reports that Clark’s death is being investigated as a possible overdose.
Clark died in California’s San Fernando Valley, local law enforcement officials told NBC. Officials told the show that the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 911 call for a medical emergency on Monday, May 11, just after 5 p.m.
Clark was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived. According to reports, drug paraphernalia was found at the home and an investigation is underway as a possible overdose.
The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves took a hiatus on Tuesday night before Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series in memory of Brandon Clark and Jason Collins.
The Memphis Grizzlies forward died on Monday at the age of 29, and Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, also died at the age of 47 after a battle with glioblastoma, his family announced Tuesday. —Christie Ackert
Brandon Clark was one of many basketball players who took an interest in music. He released several songs under the name BCVS, rapping over beats that ranged from trap to ethereal. His profile on his music Instagram page says he has “multiple albums,” and he has said in multiple posts that making music has been “therapy” for him.
In an Instagram post of her song “All White Gold,” released in July, Clark thanked her fans for their support of her artistic endeavors.
“Thank you all for the love you’ve given me. This drop was really fun,” he said.
Following Brandon Clark’s death at age 29, Grizzlies fans placed flowers under a Clark banner outside the FedExForum in Memphis.
Ja Morant was heartbroken to hear of the death of Grizzlies teammate Brandon Clark. The two-time All-Star paid tribute to the forward on social media after news of Clark’s death broke.
Morant posted a series of posts to his Instagram Story on Tuesday, May 12, expressing his gratitude to Clark, who spent all seven seasons of his NBA career with Morant in Memphis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, kratom is an herbal extract derived from a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. In low doses, it acts as a stimulant, according to the Mayo Clinic. At high doses, it has been reported to reduce pain and anxiety. Although legal in some states, kratom is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Arkansas.
The Grizzlies and Priority Sports released statements following Clark’s death.
The Grizzlies said they were “heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clark.” “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person. His impact on our organization and the Memphis community will never be forgotten. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
“We are not devastated by the passing of Brandon Clark,” Priority Sports said in a statement. “He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose lives he touched. He was the kindest soul who would be the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts just break for his mother, Whitney, all of his family and all of his friends. From high school to San Jose State, Gonzaga and the Grizzlies, Brandon touched everyone who was a part of his life.”
Clark was 29 years old. He was born on September 19, 1996 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- San Jose State (2015-17)
- Gonzaga (2017-18)
Clark played his first two seasons of college baseball at San Jose State. He was named the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year during his freshman season (2015-16) and was selected to the All-Mountain West First Team as a sophomore. He was also named to the All-Defense Team in his sophomore campaign.
Clark then transferred to Gonzaga and redshirted the 2017-18 season. As a junior, he played in 37 games, averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 3.2 blocks, and was named West Coast Conference Rookie of the Year.
Clark was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. The Thunder quickly traded Clark to the Memphis Grizzlies for Darius Bazley and a future second-round draft pick.
Clark spent all seven seasons of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 10.2 points per game. This season, he suffered a calf injury in December that caused him to miss the remainder of the Grizzlies’ campaign.
Brandon Clark played his entire seven-year career with the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing fourth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting after the 2019-20 season. His general stats for all seven seasons are:
- 2025-26: 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.0 steals in 2 games (2 starts)
- 2024-25: 8.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks in 64 games (18 starts)
- 2023-24: 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.0 blocks in 6 games (1 start)
- 2022-23: 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.7 blocks in 56 games (8 starts)
- 2021-22: 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.1 blocks in 64 games (1 start)
- 2020-21: 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks in 59 games (16 starts)
- 2019-20: 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks in 58 games (4 starts)
In 2025, Brandon Clark founded the Brandon Clark Foundation, which aims to help families, mothers, and others affected by tragedy across Memphis. The foundation then donated to ARise2Read. ARise2Read is a nonprofit organization focused on improving children’s literacy skills outside of the classroom. Mr. Clark also hosted a holiday celebration at the Bachman Boys & Girls Club, where food, gifts and games were provided to families at the foundation, and Mr. Clark also made a donation. — Dame Michael Cole, Memphis Commercial Appeal
